CNP Assurances is the first company to own forests in France and the first French corporate investor to commit to FSC certification for the sustainable management of its forests. With more than 50,000 hectares of forest in France managed by Société Forestière, the Group is a pioneering investor when it comes to preserving life and biodiversity. It has set itself the goal of securing FSC certification for 100% of its forests by 2030.
This ambition reflects CNP Assurances’ long-term commitment to sustainable forest management, which ensures a forest’s resilience in the face of climate change, its capacity to produce wood to support the energy transition, and its role in capturing carbon and sheltering biodiversity.
Since 2020, these principles have been formalised in the ‘Acting for the Future’ charter implemented by Société Forestière and have been recognised since the 2000s by PEFC certification for all forests owned by CNP Assurances. After obtaining FSC certification for two forest areas covering almost 3,400 hectares in 2024, CNP Assurances is now extending its ambition by committing to securing FSC certification for 100% of its forest areas by 2030.
Many of the practices required for FSC certification already feature in the methods used to manage the forests owned by CNP Assurances:
• Inventory of potential biodiversity,
• Conservation of ageing forest areas and freely evolving forest areas for housing biodiversity,
• Implementation of ecological continuity and diversification of tree species.
FSC certification goes even further, with requirements including:
• The preservation of 5 ‘biodiversity trees’ per hectare. These are old or hollow trees that provide habitats and refuges for animals and insects.
• The use of 10% of the forest’s surface area to create conservation zones, i.e. areas where biodiversity protection takes precedence over timber production.
• The allocation of 2% of the surface area given over to natural evolution, where all forest management activities are permanently halted.
CNP Assurances has also pledged not to convert any natural forests into planted forests. Through the FSC initiative, CNP Assurances is actively contributing to the development of this certification in France. The aim is to strengthen an ecosystem of companies who are capable of meeting high demand for responsibly sourced wood. It is also about sustainably supporting the growth of the FSC-certified timber industry.
The FSC is an NGO and a global benchmark for responsible forest management. Its certification already encompasses 160 million ha worldwide and 64,500 certified companies. It is a highly demanding certification that assesses 70 criteria with over 200 indicators and is based on initial compliance with existing standards. The audit is carried out by an external third party every year (Soil Association in the case of CNP Assurances’ forests).
Marie-Aude Thépaut, Chief Executive Officer of CNP Assurances, comments: “As the first company to own forests in France, CNP Assurances is strengthening its commitment to sustainable investment by setting itself the ambitious target of securing FSC certification for all of its forests by 2030. We hope to create positive momentum and contribute to the development of the timber industry in France. As a responsible insurer and investor, CNP Assurances manages its forestry assets sustainably to provide its policyholders with recurring and regular returns in the long term, while simultaneously taking action to protect biodiversity and the climate.”
Aurélien Sautière, Executive Director of FSC France, is satisfied: “FSC France warmly welcomes the commitment of CNP Assurances to obtain FSC certification and applauds its clear ambition for 2030. This pioneering and innovative commitment illustrates CNP Assurances’ leadership in responsible forest management that fully incorporates environmental and social issues. This exemplary approach will create a knock-on effect, stimulating the supply of FSC-certified products for timber companies and meeting the growing demand emanating from both today and tomorrow’s markets.”
Céline Scemama, Chief Executive Officer of Société Forestière, adds: “We are proud to support CNP Assurances with its ambitious FSC certification process, which guarantees environmentally friendly, socially beneficial and economically viable forest management. This initiative is fully in line with our commitment to sustainable silviculture that meets the challenges of climate change and biodiversity preservation.”